The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka has strongly rejected social media claims that Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith is using the Easter Sunday attack to extend his tenure, calling the allegations “entirely false” and a malicious attempt to mislead the public.
In a statement, the Bishops’ Conference said certain groups have recently targeted Cardinal Ranjith and other priests with insults online because of their efforts to uncover the truth behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attack and secure justice for victims.
The Conference emphasized that the claim of Cardinal Ranjith exploiting the tragedy to prolong his office is baseless. It noted that, under Canon Law, the authority to determine the official retirement date of priests rests solely with the Holy Father.
The statement revealed that Cardinal Ranjith, having reached the age of 75, has already submitted his resignation letter to the Pope. Until approval is granted, he remains bound to fulfill his responsibilities in office.
The Bishops’ Conference further underscored that the procedures of the Catholic Church cannot be compared with political power struggles, stressing that while civil law is tied to governance, the Church’s authority is rooted in divine service. (Newswire)
